Magalia Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
170 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Magalia, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Magalia | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -15% |
| Washing Machine | 10.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -9% |
| Water Heater | 12.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Magalia compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Magalia, California | 73 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Paradise, California | 136 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Chico, California | 80.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Oroville, California | 57 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Marysville, California | 155.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Magalia compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Magalia | 73 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Magalia's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Magalia, California, in Butte County — a Butte County unincorporated community adjacent to Paradise and Stirling City in the Sierra Nevada foothills of north-central California — receives its water from the Paradise Irrigation District or Cal Water, drawing from Lake Oroville on the Feather River through the north-central California distribution.
The soft 73 mg/L hardness and TDS of 170 mg/L reflect the Butte County Feather River supply's soft Sierra Nevada character — the Cretaceous Sierra Nevada granodiorite and Jurassic Smartville Formation are both highly insoluble igneous and metamorphic formations contributing negligible dissolved minerals to the pristine Feather River headwaters (compare Paradise CA: 71/165 in Butte County comparable; Stirling City CA: 75/175 in Butte County comparable; Magalia consistent soft from the same Butte County Lake Oroville Feather River Sierra Nevada supply). The Feather River watershed — Cretaceous Sierra Nevada granodiorite (insoluble — primary dilutant), Jurassic Smartville Formation (slightly insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary Sierra Nevada outwash (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 73 mg/L with TDS 170, Magalia's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.1 ppt is moderate and well-managed for the Sierra Nevada foothill zone. Review the Paradise Irrigation District's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Magalia in Butte County draws from the Paradise Irrigation District on Lake Oroville (Butte County, north-central California) — the Feather River at Butte County drains Cretaceous Sierra Nevada granodiorite (insoluble) and Jurassic Smartville Formation (slightly insoluble) — California Butte County Lake Oroville Feather River Sierra Nevada supply produces soft water at 73 mg/L with TDS 170 mg/L.